Virginia Republican Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell, whose win last Tuesday sparked a wave of speculation about President Barack Obama’s standing a year after his own historic election, attributes his victory to “Virginia issues” rather than fallout over the national agenda.

“A lot of independent voters, though, and Republicans as well, clearly told me they were very concerned about the direction of the country,” McDonnell said on “Fox News Sunday.”

But he said national issues, particularly climate change, also played to his favor with Virginia voters.

McDonnell said on CNN’s “State of the Union” that he looks forward to finding “common ground” with Obama on issues such as education and abortion.

“I made no secret throughout my career I’m pro-life,” McDonnell said. “But I think we need to find those areas like adoption, improving the adoption laws, the fatherhood initiative — President Obama has been a leader on that. I’m looking for ways to implement that.”

McDonnell cited plenty of areas where he disagrees with the president, including legislation that would make it easier for unions to organize, health care and cap and trade.

While the governor-elect said he has not read the nearly 2,000-page health care bill the House passed Saturday night, he voiced strong opposition to the public option and said that whether the Senate approves an opt-in or an opt-out version, Virginia is unlikely to participate.

“Either way, my preference would be not to have Virginia participate, from what I know this plan contains,” McDonnell said. “So however they structure it, if it gives flexibility to the states, that’s a good thing.”